Posted by UFC Junkie on June 11, 2007 at 8:39 am ET UFC heavyweight Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic (22-5-2 MMA, 1-1 UFC) will look to get back into the title picture when he faces Cheick Kongo (10-3-1 MMA, 3-1 UFC) at UFC 75 in London.

Numerous reports have made mention of the rumored bout. The possibility of the fight was first reported by www.groundandpound.de, a German Web site.

Filipovic suffered a devastating KO loss to Gabriel Gonzaga at UFC 70 in April. The former PRIDE champion was acquired by the UFC earlier this year and posted a successful TKO victory over Eddie Sanchez in his debut at UFC 67 in February. He entered UFC 70 as a large favorite over Gonzaga but lasted less than one round with the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt fighter.

Kongo made his UFC debut at UFC 61 with a first-round TKO over Gilbert Aldana. He picked up another win (first-round KO via knee) over Christian Wellisch at UFC 62 but lost to Carmelo Marrero via split decision at UFC 64. He most recently defeated bootyliciousuerio Silva via majority decision at UFC 70. Kongo’s ground game was heavily criticized after the fight.

Despite a recent influx of talent in the UFC’s heavyweight division, the Filipovic-Kongo fight could have major — if not immediate — effects on future title shots.

For the latest UFC 75 fight card, check out the UFC Rumors section of UFCjunkie.com.

Fanboy 1988 »
Posted 4/18/07 10:12:00AM

This is gonna be a good fight, a stand up war for sure.

loller90278 »
Posted 1/16/07 3:05:00PM

he was never a PRIDE CHAMPION..

well, i guess the GP counts?

fightdavejordan »
Posted 5/13/07 10:35:00AM

kongo for shore ko tko his ass like itwas mint to be

Primo »
Posted 5/26/07 5:33:00PM

Posted by fightdavejordan

kongo for shore ko tko his ass like itwas mint to be

LOL YEA cuz Kongo was a K-1 elite and has destroyed so many elite fighters standing such as Mirko.NOT. Mirko never expected GG to be the kickboxer he was, and he paid for it. I feel sorry for not only Kongo, but CC's next 4 opponents as long as their name isn't Fedor.

Fanboy 1988 »
Posted 4/18/07 10:12:00AM

Even at that, I'm still suprised Mirko couldn't do better on his feet against GG... He just wasn't there that night

grappler0000 »
Posted 3/24/07 5:29:00PM

Posted by Primo

Posted by fightdavejordan

kongo for shore ko tko his ass like itwas mint to be

LOL YEA cuz Kongo was a K-1 elite and has destroyed so many elite fighters standing such as Mirko.NOT. Mirko never expected GG to be the kickboxer he was, and he paid for it. I feel sorry for not only Kongo, but CC's next 4 opponents as long as their name isn't Fedor.

I agree...as long as Mirko comes in focused, it's a no-brainer. This should be interesting though...it will be the first time that Kongo's standup game will be tested in the Octagon.

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cmill21 »
Posted 5/27/07 4:09:00PM

I read that when gonzaga had Mirko on the ground he hit him in the temple, and that effected his vision. So he didn't really see the kick. But he understood that he needed to work on UFC rules (elbows on the ground) and acctually being in the octagon(got one for training). And if his hearts still in fighting at all he'll come out like he did after that Randleman KO, and he'll want a re-match with gonzaga(he submitted randleman in like :41 seconds to avenge his loss)

Rampage_Soldier »
Posted 1/29/07 5:01:00PM

Posted by MisFiT

...Kongo made his UFC debut at UFC 61 with a first-round TKO over Gilbert Aldana. He picked up another win (first-round KO via knee) over Christian Wellisch at UFC 62 but lost to Carmelo Marrero via split decision at UFC 64. He most recently defeated bootyliciousuerio Silva via majority decision at UFC 70. Kongo’s ground game was heavily criticized after the fight...

WTF?!

mkiv9secsupra »
Posted 1/30/07 1:49:00AM

This is going to be a good fight...Kongo has all the tools to beat CC but it will come down to who comes in in a better mental state and best gameplan. I hope CC wins this one.

grappler0000 »
Posted 3/24/07 5:29:00PM

Posted by Rampage_Soldier

Posted by MisFiT

...Kongo made his UFC debut at UFC 61 with a first-round TKO over Gilbert Aldana. He picked up another win (first-round KO via knee) over Christian Wellisch at UFC 62 but lost to Carmelo Marrero via split decision at UFC 64. He most recently defeated bootyliciousuerio Silva via majority decision at UFC 70. Kongo’s ground game was heavily criticized after the fight...

WTF?!

LOL...I didn't notice that until you pointed it out. I agree...WTF?

Also, it didn't take his last match to see that he lacks a ground game. His match with Marrero displayed the fact just fine.

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MisFiT »
Posted 3/6/07 7:31:00PM

Posted by Rampage_Soldier

Posted by MisFiT

...Kongo made his UFC debut at UFC 61 with a first-round TKO over Gilbert Aldana. He picked up another win (first-round KO via knee) over Christian Wellisch at UFC 62 but lost to Carmelo Marrero via split decision at UFC 64. He most recently defeated bootyliciousuerio Silva via majority decision at UFC 70. Kongo’s ground game was heavily criticized after the fight...

WTF?!

Hahaha I never saw that.

Primo »
Posted 5/26/07 5:33:00PM

Posted by mkiv9secsupra

This is going to be a good fight...Kongo has all the tools to beat CC but it will come down to who comes in in a better mental state and best gameplan. I hope CC wins this one.

What are you on??? Kongo has no tools to beat CroCop. If CroCop comes in determined (he says he is) like he was for the OWGP Kongo will be demolished in one round.

cmill21 »
Posted 5/27/07 4:09:00PM

The tools needed to be able to beat Mirko are as follows, great takedowns, great submissions, and an iron jaw. Mirko, if he is on his game and is focused, won't be out struck. Just curious where you read about how focused he is? I love to read anything about Mirko.